Told through a series of vaudeville routines, the story of Chicago begins with Velma Kelly (Chita Rivera) setting the tone and atmosphere of the period with "All That Jazz.". And of course, Roxie Hart, the heart (pun intended) for the murder case that Flynn has spun into a media spectacle. Most versions got it right. "If Jesus Christ had lived in Chicago," he explains, "and if he'd had $5,000, and had come to me--things would have turned out differently." And the choreography doesn't copy Fosse's inimitable style, but it's not far from it, either; the movie sideswipes imitation on its way to homage. Sarcastic, sexy, tough, funny. Though we hear lyrics of independence and self-sufficiency, the song feels like a lament. We meet Roxie Hart, married early and unwisely, to Amos Hart (John C. Reilly), a credulous lunkhead. After a bit of sweet-talking, Roxie convinces Amos to foot the lawyer's very expensive bill. So here's our list of audition songs for Chicago, broken down by character. Jan. 18, 2016. Billy Flynn is a heavily corrupt lawyer notorious for getting unrepentant murderers freed. account. Fosse, who grew up in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s, lived in a city where the daily papers roared with the kinds of headlines the movie loves. Photographs of Jones and Zellweger sourced via Pinterest, and of Mazz Murray via Chicago On Stage. He is an incredibly charismatic, flamboyant and smooth talking lawyer with an incredibly corrupt and nihilistic outlook on life. Main Players/Characters. Billy Flynn pops by to help the Hayes get Peacock TV! Chicago, a musical originally choreographed, directed and co-written by the legendary Bob Fosse in 1975, is the story of Roxie Hart, a wannabe cabaret star in 1920s Chicago. lv>Flt-GOa5s(IqHH0b0r@{#@|gXK . Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse; Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb; Based on the play . But that in no way meant that he was out of the woods. Chicago. Real friendship between women barely exists inChicago, and the main characters scheme against each other and refuse to make connections that arent based on personal gain. Sign up today to unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. Nothing is taken seriously from the murders to the trials. Even vaudeville has its own spin on sharing these stories. Amos Hart. Amos is not very good looking and he is not very Smart. Mary Sunshine is one of the journalists assigned to cover the development in the murder case of which Roxie Hart is the primary suspect. Accused of chopping off her husbands head. She is a nave woman with a bad temper. This is Thesecret1070. Billy will take any case as long as it is sure to put money in his pocket. She can manage everything inside of the County Jail. G. Gillian Russo January 10, 2023, 09:53. Billy Flynn, a.k.a. No wonder it was labeled as an act of desperation. Zeta-Jones was, in fact, a professional dancer in London before she decided to leave the chorus line and take her chances with acting, and her dancing in the movie is a reminder of the golden days; the film opens with her "All that Jazz" number, which plays like a promise "Chicago" will have to deliver on. Yeah, it is a parody of the legal system but the main reason why it succeeded in being funny is because of the truth found there. Part Size: Supporting. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Images attached are from the film version of the hit musical. Watkins loosely based Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn and other characters in the play off the individuals involved in these famed Chicago courtroom proceedings. Or E-mail: . Some things end up being funny when it reminds you of something that you have seen before a little too often, it has lost its potency to be a credible sob story that it has transcended to the point of being funny. Chicago: All That Jazz (Official Video) Chicago . She is wealthy because of her family and she is known for going crazy telling everyone to go-to-hell. NEW YORK (AP) - R&B superstar Usher makes his Broadway debut on Aug. 22 in Chicago, playing that slick, seductive lawyer, Billy Flynn in the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical. Ring of Keys: Lyrics from Fun Home The Musical, Chicago The Musical lyrics: Cell Block Tango. to read our character analysis for Billy Flynn and unlock other amazing theatre resources! Musicals usually rely on the memorable songs to induce several incidents of last song syndrome (LSS). It doesnt overly dramatize things that happen daily in life. People watch Chicago The Musical to laugh. %PDF-1.4 The Design. The comparison, though satirical, strikes a rather serious chord under all the cabaret, cursing and relentless . He has never lost a case involving a female defendant in his whole career, but in turn charges high fees for his services ($5,000), demands payment in full up-front, and never takes pro bono work. to read our character analysis for Billy Flynn and unlock other amazing theatre resources! She is an aspiring actress who gets into trouble with the law after murdering a man she was having an affair with and enlists the help of Billy Flynn to get her out of jail and into spotlight as a star She was portrayed by Gwen Verdon in the 1975 musical, and by Rene Zellweger in its 2002 film adaptation . This story, lightweight but cheerfully lurid, fueled Bob Fosse, John Kander and Fred Ebb's original stage production of "Chicago," which opened in 1975 and has been playing somewhere or other ever after--since 1997 again on Broadway. Kelly Osbourne as Mama Morton 'Chicago, The Musical' (2006) . For Fosse, the Chicago of Roxie Hart supplied the perfect peg to hang his famous hat. EPISODE 070 CHICAGO MUSIC REVEALED with Mike Jeffers and special guest host Dave Katzman for our Chicago Blues and Beyond segment. I want to talk to my lawyer, a line that accused individuals say whenever they feel cornered and in need of someone to speak on their behalf. Theatrical Song. He was born on May 29, 1985, and shares his birthday with basketball player Carmello Anthony and the late President John F. Kennedy. Who would have thought the minimalist presentation of a musical would experience as many revivals as it is now? % Billy Flynn is just in it for the money. Rated PG-13 Just like Velma, she is self-centered and is only concerned with the now, not the aftermath that follows the case once the verdict is handed down. Here Comes Baby: "Days of our Lives" star Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and his wife, Gina Comparetto, recently celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. He is joined in the cast by "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" winner Jinkx Monsoon who plays Mistress Morton. Husband: Charlie. Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart will step into the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago on Monday, January 17, at the Ambassador Theatre. Killers were romanticized or vilified, cops and lawyers and reporters lived in each other's pockets, and newspapers read like pulp fiction. Roxie is not very bright and never thinks about There's an inspired scene of ventriloquism and puppetry at a press conference, with all of the characters dangling from strings. An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works Then its all back to the black chairs in presenting a story meant to be funny. But some things never change maybe because Kander and Ebb found a way to glamorize a story about sex, violence corruption and all things we hold near and dear. Comparetto shared the exciting news on social media along with nearly two dozen 60s-inspired photos that show off her baby bump and the couple's enthusiasm about the next chapter of their lives. She has a lover named Fred Casely (Dominic West), who sweet-talks her with promises of stardom. Enter a world of jazz, crime, and razzle dazzle at Chicago on Broadway. Billy Flynn became a lawyer for two reasons: a) the money, and b) because people are schmucks, as easily fooled as children. She then realized the extent of her arrogance once Roxie pointed out to her that shes been pushed off the front page. Learn. The 2002 movie Chicago was adapted from Bob Fosse's 1975 Broadway musical, Chicago. Luckily, hes in the perfect town for sensational murders. Chicago is a musical that tells womens stories predominantly through performances by female characters, so itshould feel like an empowering romp from one of the raciest decades of American history. In prison, she develops a rivalry with the star Velma Kelly, who killed her own husband . So as we navigate some truly difficult times, in which the legal and political systems seem to repeatedly fail women and absolve their abusers and harassers, we need to make sure that we are willing to stand up for the women in our lives. The guns got used in Roxies scene and in the heiresss scene. Get entertainment recommendations for your unique personality and find out which of 5,500+ The movie is a dazzling song and dance extravaganza, with just enough words to support the music and allow everyone to catch their breath between songs. There was almost a third party for the battle for the title Darling of the Press the pineapple heiress who ended up with all the cameras and interviews right when Roxie was still waiting for her trial date. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. You can like the life youre living, you can live the life you like; you can even marry Harry or mess around with Ike, Roxie and Velma sing, all the while suggesting that they wont be tricked into dependence on HarryorIke. This week's guest is the l. Police detective who interviews Amos after Roxie kills Fred. . He shows signs that he would eagerly abandon his clients for a richer, more famous one if he had the chance. You know why? Billy Flynn. She kills her boyfriend in her apartment after coming home and finding him with two girls. . Find out how you match to him and 5500+ other characters. Bob Fosse choreographed the protection with his style of jazz hand, side ways shoulder rolls, and bowler hats. She found out her husband had several wives and killed him with Arsenic. She is a woman with the image of a good natured talk show hostess but is actually a high powered gossip columnist. Box 70381 Milwaukee, WI 53207. She is actually innocent, but because she only speaks Hungarian and refuses to plead guilty, she is found guilty and hanged. Roxie, with some help from Amos, ended up getting his services in order to secure her freedom. Sexy, funny, powerful and tough. Change Photo Log Report Last Update: 1 week ago. The introductory number of Billy Flynn is a dreamy number that showcases how the sensational lawyer gets the job done and pleases his clients. Sometimes I consider her character as a commentary about journalists that got so persuaded with one presentation of the case that they almost went biased towards it. Billy Flynn has been a mainstay on the Chicago blues circuit since the mid-80's. In a typical set he'll segue from sophisticated Texas jump blues into raw Delta or postwar-Chicago style sounds. Mama recommends Billy Flynn, a man who has never lost a case for a woman, and who only costs $5,000. Beware Terrible view from normal price balcony seats Phantom of the Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, Top 30 Most Influential People in Musical Theater. That's the angle I'm after.Billy talking to Amos about his campaign on helping Roxie. The character either plays a major role, as a central element to . He considers his profession to be akin to the entertainment industry, with himself as an A-list star in the field. Advertisement. Billy Flinn, and with help from Amos she is able to afford him and become the talk of the town. Even if she seems to be silly and childish, also she can be really dangerous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Crea un blog o un sitio web gratuitos con WordPress.com. Needs to be a strong character actor who can sing and dance well. BUY TICKETS. If Billy is the Agent, Mama would be considered the Manager. Traditionally in musicals the music is embedded . Flynn has staying power. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Billy Gardell plays Chicago police officer Mike who starts attending an Overeaters Anonymous group to lose weight where he meets soulmate Molly. Seeking 2 Actor Team for Spring Even if she seems to be silly and childish, also she can be really dangerous. . Watching Chicago for the first time and you realize the immense influence the major characters have on you. Roxie Hart. The only prop that could have outdone the guns were the feathers that welcomed Billy into the story. When Roxie found out the true, she killed him with a gun. Thats one thing he can manage to be honest about. And that says a lot about some lawyers from the Prohibition Era from this musical is set to today. The decision to use non-singers and non-dancers is always controversial in musicals, especially in these days when big stars are needed to headline expensive productions. but not much is done with the character. These are Roxie Hart, Amos Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn. Please enable Javascript and hit the button below! New York, NY, Linda Ray Chicago is a 2002 film based on a musical originally choreographed and directed by the legendary Bob Fosse in 1975. Trending. Billy Flynn is a master of spin: he can transform the image of a murderer into the image of a tragic victim with incredible ease. Billy is a lot like a Hollywood Agent. New York, NY, Ages 12-17: Camp Broadway Ensemble @ Carnegie Hall She is the best reporter in all Illinois. But if these songs are used well to push a story forward and introduce a set of dynamic characters that you can relate with, then youre rest assured of reruns that would last decades just like what happened in Chicago. WordPress Theme: Dynamic News by ThemeZee. Prior to Mike & Molly, Gardell was known for playing another cop - Jeff Hoyne - on My Name Is Earl and is currently starring in another Chuck Lorre sitcom, Bob Hearts . Velma is supposed to be a singing and dancing star, and Zeta-Jones delivers with glamor, high style and the delicious confidence the world forces on you when you are one of its most beautiful inhabitants. The moment a culture have managed to present even the darkest stories in the most upbeat manner possible, you know that they have learned to cope with the burden of life. Best known as the sweetie little jazz murderess, called by her lawyer Billy Flinn. "He's a flamboyant Chicago attorney. Connor McClung, a senior who plays Amos Hart, says "playing Amos is a balancing act, because he is upset most of the time. Velma and Roxie have learned the hard way that not even fellow women will support them in an individualistic age, in which womens success depends on fierce competitiveness for the limelight. WhenChicago was first adapted into a Broadway musical by John Kander,Fred Ebb, andBob Fosse, each musical number was written in the vaudeville style. There is a story. He is incredibly confident and manipulative and always uses whatever lie he can think of as long as it helps his clients. Theatre Owned / Operated by Coronet Theatre Corporation (Lester Osterman and Richard Horner) Produced by Robert Fryer and James Cresson; Produced in association with Martin Richards, Joseph Harris and Ira Bernstein. He knows that he possesses the kind of razzle-dazzle thats necessary to make it in this city.Profession lawyer, currently representing murderer Roxie Hart. Almost 100 years later, the unwitting moral of this dazzling musical remains pertinent First of all, dont murder men (unless they deserve it)*; and secondly, women are incredibly powerful when we stick together. <> Bob Fosse Currently the second longest-running show on Broadway, the 1996 revival of Chicago boasts a long list of celebrities who have stepped into its leading roles. When a murdering heiress steals Roxies limelight, a vignette of the crime shows a cheating husband yelling at his outraged wife: Are you gonna believe what you see, or what I tell ya? From main characters to cameos and minor roles, these characters are the reason why the movie is loved by film buffs around the world. The vaudeville is perfect for a caricature of 1920s Chicago, where life seemed to occur exclusively in the seductive smog of jazz bars, and rejecting the moral norms of previous decades wastrs la mode. Typical Chicago cop who has been through this kind of thing many times. Although modern audiences don't like to see stories interrupted by songs, apparently they like songs interrupted by stories. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRO MEMBERS. Most of Billy Flynn's clients actually did commit the murder they are accused of; therefore he usually attempts to conjure a defense of self-defense or insanity. The musicals commentary on the way the public become the jury in high profile crimes remains relevant today, as time and again the public are accused of unfairly meting out justice (often via Twitter) and taking part in so calledwitch hunts. Club sensation Velma murders her philandering spouse / her sister and Chicago's slickest legal advisor, Billy Flynn is set to shield her. However, when Roxie additionally ends up in jail, Billy goes up against her case too - transforming her into a . Show Guides. She doesnt have the brain. I will also talk about my ideas for the costumes for the prison girls. And this is vaudeville where people are too happy to react to murders going on. C.bjfW{wy&-E0i8U`zmMm/+Z3'kW-TUS &s^&1!.!.IQk Despite the supposedly light, vaudeville style of Chicago, Kander, Ebb and Fosse's adaptation (which takes inspiration from Maurine Dallas Watkin's play of the same name) draws purposeful parallels between the legal system and the culture of celebrity and sensation journalism. 144/11. Chicago.docx - Aristotle's analytical model puts the plot. The same game plan he used on Velma Kelly is the same game plan he used on Roxie Hart. And she found a way to make a bad situation work out for her like realizing how she can be the toast of the town despite being in jail which brings us to the next factor that made this musical such a hit. Los campos obligatorios estn marcados con. William Flynn is a fictional character from the 1926 play Chicago, written by Maurine Dallas Watkins, and its various derivative works and remakes. The movie stars sweet-faced Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, who kills her lover and convinces her husband to pay for her defense; and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, who broke up her vaudeville sister act by murdering her husband and her sister while they were engaged in a sport not licensed for in-laws. Billy to Roxie before singing We both reached for the gun.Shut up dummy. Nightclub sensation Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) murders her philandering husband, and Chicago's slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), is set to defend her. A vaudeville is a light, comic number, combining music and pantomime to entertain - but not to educate, or suggest a lesson in morality. I just realized how several versions of All That Jazz, Funny Honey and Razzle Dazzle sung outside the Hollywood really got me thinking about this hit musical. Roxie has several press . Join the StageAgent community . Roxie Hart, Billy Flynn, Amos Hart. Also he could easily be swayed into thinking one way by persuasion only to change his mind upon getting into another persuasion all over again as shown as how he immediately changed his mind into supporting Roxie again. Paul Dano is an actor who can be distant and mystifying. Innocent, sexy, desperate, selfish. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The Man in the Iron Mask, The Man in the Iron Mask (Genre), The Man in the Iron Mask (Character) and more. A topnotch vaudeville performer, Velma Kelly was incarcerated for her murder of her husband and her sister after catching them in bed. Eddie George was in his dressing room at the Ambassador Theater on Tuesday night, a Heisman Trophy winner and former star N.F.L. References to the '20s ("Roxy's dress is really a flapper dress; there are references to gangsters like . Living at the top of 1920s Chicago society. Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. After Roxie murders her lover Fred Casely, whom she was committing adultery with, she hears about what Billy Flynn did for another murderess, the infamous Velma Kelly, and he becomes her lawyer. Thanks for reading. Roxie harts lover. But that was the only time it was used. Naturally we dont condone murder at Harpy Mag (no, not even of your awful ex, sorry), but as this dynamic sextet protest how could you tell me that I was wrong?, the various stabbings, shootings and poisonings seem almost justified. (tenor) Amos Hart: Age 30-50.